It’s not exactly breaking news that most of us could benefit from consuming more vitamins. However, no matter how often we’ve heard it from doctors, dietitians and even our parents (remember those dinnertime nag sessions to eat carrots? ), getting enough vitamins can be a challenge—but a challenge worth accepting.
"Vitamins play various roles in bodily function, including metabolism , immune function and cellular repair," says Dr. Kevin Cooke, MD , a board-certified primary care physician specializing in longevity medicine and brain performance. "Ensuring adequate vitamin intake can help prevent chronic diseases , enhance physical and cognitive performance and promote overall well-being, which collectively contribute to a longer, healthier life."
The last part—a longer, healthier life—may be your top goal. Chronic disease risk goes up as we age, and Dr. Cooke says getting enough of one specific vitamin after your 50th birthday can be super helpful, though many people aren’t getting enough of it.
Related: ‘I’m a Longevity Expert, and This Is the One Vitamin People Over 50 Should Stop Taking ASAP’ The Best Vitamin for People Over 50, According to a Longevity Expert
Vitamin D is Dr. Cooke’s No. 1 pick for the 50+ crowd. "Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health, supporting immune function and reducing inflammation," Dr. Cooke says. "Vitamin D has been shown to be helpful in depression, increasing testosterone, bone health, brain health and cognition, mood improvement and well-being."
All of these things can help a person lead a healthier, happier life. Plus, mood, cognitive function and bone health are among the things that can decline as we age. The importance of vitamin D for people as they age isn’t just Dr. Cooke’s opinion.
"There have been some studies that show low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased all-cause mortality rate in general and elderly populations," Dr. Cooke says.
Dr. Cooke isn’t wrong. A 2023 study pointed to data showing that 20% of middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. were vitamin D deficient, something that increased their risk of all-cause mortality.
A 2022 study of Chinese adults ages 60 to 113 years old found that people […]
‘I’m a Longevity Expert, and This Is the One Vitamin I’m Begging Everyone Over 50 to Get More Of’
